Senegalese wrestling is a type of folk wrestling traditional to Senegal and parts of The Gambia, and is part of a larger West African form of traditional wrestling (fr. Lutte Traditionnelle). The Senegalese form traditionally allows blows with the hands (frappe), the only of the West African traditions to do so. As a larger... more »
On June 26, 1976, a fight was held at the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo, Japan between American boxer Muhammad Ali and Japanese Professional Wrestler Antonio Inoki. At the time, Ali had come off a knockout victory over Richard Dunn in May and was the reigning WBC/WBA Heavyweight Champion. Inoki had been taught the... more »
Born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1943, Antonio Inoki is one of the key figures in the history of Japanese wrestling. Inoki spent much of his youth in Brazil where he was a national star in the shot put and discus throw. It was here that the young athlete met Rikidozan — perhaps the most... more »
Beach Wrestling has been codified by FILA during the Athens Congress in 2004 in order to bring together all the different traditional wrestling styles practiced on sand and to make them more popular worldwide. Beach Wrestling is practised in swimming suit within a sand circle of 6m and consists of very simple rules. A... more »
In wrestling, a bear hug, also known as a bodylock, is a grappling clinch hold and stand-up grappling position where the arms are wrapped around the opponent, either around the opponent’s chest, midsection, or thighs; sometimes with one or both of the opponents arms pinned to the opponent’s body. The hands are locked around... more »
Chidaoba is the national Georgian martial art, “jacket wrestling”. It is called jacket wrestling because of a special suit chidaoba wrestlers have to wear – pants and a special short jacket of canvas with the same canvas belt. Chidaoba suit is called “Chokha”, same as a traditional Georgian national suit. The jacket sleeves are... more »
Cornish wrestling is a form of wrestling which has been established in Cornwall (southwest Britain) for several centuries. The referee is known as a ‘stickler’, and it is claimed that the popular meaning of the word as a ‘pedant’ originates from this usage. It is colloquially known as “wrasslin” in the Cornish dialect. The... more »
The double leg takedown (colloquially simply known as a double leg or even double) involves grabbing the opponent with both arms around the opponent’s legs while keeping the chest close to the opponents balls, and using this position to force the opponent to the ground. There are several varieties of forcing the opponent to... more »
Duck-under takedown is a Wrestling/Sambo/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique where the wrestler ducks under the opponent’s arm to get behind him and then uses a lift, throw, or trip to take the opponent to the mat. The Duck-under takedown is very useful in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)... more »
The Flying Squirrel is an acrobatic form of takedown where wrestler dives over his opponent’s head and grabs the waist on the way over only to land on his feet and finish with a Gutwrench... more »
Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practised throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games. It is, along with track and field, one of the oldest organized sports in history. American high school and college wrestling is conducted... more »
In wrestling, a front bear hug, is a grappling clinch hold and stand-up grappling position where the arms are wrapped around the opponent, either around the opponent’s chest, midsection, or thighs; sometimes with one or both of the opponents arms pinned to the opponent’s body. The hands are locked around the opponent and the... more »
The full nelson (sometimes called a double nelson or double shoulder lock) is done by performing half nelsons with both arms. In collegiate, high school, middle school/junior high school, and other forms of amateur wrestling, the move is illegal. The holder is on the back side of the opponent, and has his or her... more »
Gene LeBell was born in 1932 in Los Angeles, and holds a 10th degree black belt (red belt rank) in Judo and a 9th degree black belt in Jujutsu. Along with Judo and Jujutsu, Gene has also trained in Boxing, Catch-Wrestling and Kyokushin Karate. In addition to martial arts, he also dubbed in professional... more »
Glíma is the Icelandic national style of amateur folk wrestling. There are four points that differentiate it from other forms of wrestling: The opponents must always stand erect. The opponents step clockwise around each other (looks similar to a waltz). This is to create opportunities for offence and defence, and to prevent a stalemate. It is not permitted to... more »
Gouren (breton wrestling) is a style of folk wrestling which has been established in Brittany for several centuries. In today’s France, Gouren is overseen by the Fédération Française de Lutte (French Wrestling Federation). Gouren was popular in Brittany towards the beginning of the 20th century, with competitions every Sunday in some small villages. In... more »